For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
February 7, 2003
Establishment of the Governors Island National Monument
By the President of the United States of America
A Procalamation
On the north tip of Governors Island, at the confluence of the
Hudson and East Rivers, stand two fortifications that served as an
outpost to protect New York City from sea attack. These two important
historic objects, Castle Williams and Fort Jay, are part of a National
Historic Landmark District designated in 1985. Between 1806 and 1811,
these fortifications were constructed as part of the First and Second
American Systems of Coastal Fortification. Castle Williams and Fort
Jay represent two of the finest examples of defensive structures in use
from the Renaissance to the American Civil War. They also played
important roles in the War of 1812, the American Civil War, and World
Wars I and II.
These fortifications were built on the most strategic defensive
positions on the island. Fort Jay, constructed between 1806 and 1809,
is on the highest point of the island from which its glacis originally
sloped down to the waterfront on all sides. Castle Williams,
constructed between 1807 and 1811, occupies a rocky promontory as close
as possible to the harbor channels and served as the most important
strategic defensive point in the entrance to the New York Harbor.
Governors Island was managed by the United States Army and the
United States Coast Guard for nearly 200 years, but is no longer
required for defense or Coast Guard purposes. It provides an excellent
opportunity for the public to observe and understand the harbor
history, its defense, and its ecology. Its proximity to lower
Manhattan also makes it an appropriate location from which to reflect
upon the tragic events of September 11, 2001.
Section 2 of the Act of June 8, 1906 (34 Stat. 225, 16 U.S.C. 431)
(the "Antiquities Act"), authorizes the President, in his discretion,
to declare by public proclamation historic landmarks, historic and
prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific
interest that are situated upon the lands owned or controlled by the
Government of the United States to be national monuments, and to
reserve as a part thereof parcels of land, the limits of which in all
cases shall be confined to the smallest area compatible with the proper
care and management of the objects to be protected.
A Governors Island National Monument was established by
Proclamation 7402 of January 19, 2001, in order to protect the two
fortifications. The monument, however, remained subject to Public Law
105-33, section 9101, 111 Stat. 670 (August 5, 1997), which required
the entire island, including the monument lands, to be sold with a
right of first offer to the State and City of New York.
WHEREAS the State and City of New York each executed a consent and
waiver of the right of first offer regarding Governors Island; and
WHEREAS the portion of Governors Island described on the
accompanying land description was sold to the National Trust for
Historic Preservation (National Trust), on January 31, 2003, and the
remainder of Governors Island was sold to the Governors Island
Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC) of the State and City of
New York, on January 31, 2003; and
WHEREAS the National Trust, on January 31, 2003, relinquished and
conveyed to the United States of America all lands owned by the
National Trust on Governors Island; and
WHEREAS such relinquishment and conveyance have been accepted by
the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) pursuant to the Antiquities
Act; and
WHEREAS it appears that it would be in the public interest to
preserve Castle Williams, Fort Jay, and certain lands and buildings
necessary for the care and management of the Castle and Fort as the
Governors Island National Monument;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States
of America, by the authority vested in me by section 2 of the Act of
June 8, 1906 (34 Stat. 225, 16 U.S.C. 431), do proclaim that there are
hereby set apart and reserved as the Governors Island National Monument
for the purpose of protecting the objects identified above, all lands
and interests in lands owned or controlled by the United States within
the boundaries described on the accompanying land description, which is
attached to and forms a part of this proclamation. The Federal land
and interests in land reserved consist of approximately 22 acres,
together with appurtenant easements for all necessary purposes and any
associated federally owned personal property of historic interest,
which is the smallest area compatible with the property care and
management of the objects to be protected.
All Federal lands and interests in lands within the boundaries of
this monument are hereby appropriated and withdrawn from all forms of
entry, location, selection, sale, or leasing or other disposition under
the public land laws, including but not limited to withdrawal from
location, entry, and patent under the mining laws, and from disposition
under all laws relating to mineral and geothermal leasing.
The Secretary shall manage the monument consistent with the
purposes and provisions of this proclamation. For the purpose of
preserving, restoring, and enhancing the public visitation and
appreciation of the monument, the Secretary shall prepare a management
plan for the monument within 3 years of the date of this proclamation.
Further, to the extent authorized by law, the Secretary shall
promulgate any additional regulations needed for the proper care and
management of the objects identified above.
The establishment of this monument is subject to valid existing
rights, if any such rights are present.
Nothing in this proclamation shall be deemed to revoke any existing
withdrawal, reservation, or appropriation; however, the national
monument shall be the dominant reservation.
Warning is hereby given to all unauthorized persons not to
appropriate, injure, destroy, or remove any feature of this monument
and not to locate or settle upon any of the lands thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of
February, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-seventh.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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